Low cost alternative to left luggage

[Shimbleshanks]

A new outfit called Citystasher is offering an alternative to station left luggage outlets based on newsagents shops and similar.

Interesting idea - especially for the many stations that don't have any left luggage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38341439

Would you store valuables at a newsagent?

16 December 2016 Last updated at 22:38 GMT

The left luggage industry has a new rival, as one start-up is trying to recruit small shops as "urban hotspots" for storage, which you can find on its app.

It has signed up nearly 30 shops, mainly in London, but also in Oxford and Manchester.

Video journalist Dougal Shaw checked out CityStasher.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's not an utterly terrible idea though it might not last if there are security issues.

That said, terrorism has changed - it's now no longer about hiding stuff in lockers and bins - so lockers might as well come back, especially if a blast proof design is possible.

 

[bastien]

I've dropped off and picked up some fairly valuable parcels from the newsagents, so I can't see a problem.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've dropped off and picked up some fairly valuable parcels from the newsagents, so I can't see a problem.

I've used them for parcels service, and they are a law unto themselves, sending parcels back before the date because they were "too big" and storing things in insecure places.

 

[johntea]

Doubt they're insured if your luggage vanishes from the local corner shop! (Nice little advert for that Euston one by the way!)

I've used the one at Manchester Piccadilly before, went to pick up my luggage and...nobody was there! Only just made my train!

Maybe the hotels should offer a paid service even if someone isn't stopping there to hold luggage in reception as I know a fair few have a secure place already just in case for guests that may want to check in early etc

 

[theageofthetra]

The Tune hotel just down the hill from Newcastle offers £5 left luggage for non residents & isn't there a bike rental place at Penzance that does it? I have long thought that smaller businesses and especially struggling local pubs could earn extra revenue from luggage storage. I would certainly look at doing more 'Portillo' type trips if left luggage was more widly available in the UK as it is is in other countries.

I don't buy the outdated notion of IRA terrorism making station lockers unsafe- if Amazon can have parcel pick up/drop off lockers in a high risk area such as the heart of the City of London then why not lockers at stations that can be accessed electronically by pre-registered customers?

 

[najaB]

I don't buy the outdated notion of IRA terrorism making station lockers unsafe- if Amazon can have parcel pick up/drop off lockers in a high risk area such as the heart of the City of London then why not lockers at stations that can be accessed electronically by pre-registered customers?

I may have missed it, but I can't find the pipe bomb section on Amazon...

(Note to MI5: That was sarcasm, please don't lock me up!)

 

[Requeststop]

There were decently priced lockers at Fort William and Inverness when I passed by recently. Just a fiver for a locker for most of the day. Made my touring of the Highlands very easy.

 

[causton]

I've used them for parcels service, and they are a law unto themselves, sending parcels back before the date because they were "too big" and storing things in insecure places.

Agreed, put off using my local one as the parcels being received/sent are kept between the sandwiches and the cornish pasties inbetween the two fridges! Wouldn't want them to be doing that with my suitcase and/or valuables...

 

[endecotp]

There were decently priced lockers at Fort William and Inverness when I passed by recently. Just a fiver for a locker for most of the day.

FIVE POUNDS????!!!111!

It's only 50p at the local swimming baths - and you get that back when you collect.

 

[CarlSilva]

Another alternative to left luggages, is not to have left it. Then you still have it. Probably doesn't cost any money via this method either.

 

[jopsuk]

There's all sorts of reasons that people want to leave bulky or heavy luggage somewhere for a few hours or a couple of days

 

[PermitToTravel]

Sheffield Interchange opposite the rail station has well sized lockers. £1 non refundable IIRC, well worth it

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I often need to leave luggage somewhere when on my travels, so any alternative or additional facility would be welcome.

There's a real lack of left luggage facilities in most places, and it's a problem that really needs to be looked at. I generally try to leave my bag at my hotel after I check out and go back to collect it before getting my train (or bus). However, this isn't always possible as I may not be in the town where I've been staying for the rest of the day, so I will need somewhere to leave the bag instead of carrying it around all day.

This is an interesting scheme, and in principle I'd be willing use it, provided that it was secure and accessible. These are the two things that are essential; security is obvious, but the location and opening hours of the shop is also important. There's not much point in having a shop that's a fair way from the station or one that isn't open (for example) in the evening.

Ideally, though, main bus and railway stations should all have left luggage facilities, either staffed or using lockers. The presence of the Amazon lockers (there's a bank of them in the new bus station in Newport, for example) proves that the latter can be done, but I guess that the will to do it often isn't there.

Interestingly, I see there's one in Oxford, where I'm going next week! I'm probably going to use the Visitor Centre facility, but it's worth bearing this in mind if anything happens.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Amazon lockers are an interesting one. You can't, of course, order a bomb online for next day delivery to the target of your choice, free with your Prime subscription. But there *is* a vulnerability which I won't post here so as not to give anyone ideas, I'm sure everyone can think of it.

Are there any stations with Amazon lockers? They tend in my observation to be in relatively obscure places.

TBH, I think that "modus operandi" of terrorism is gone - these days it's about doing things in person as the terrorists no longer fear dying themselves. That might well be why bins have made a reappearance near enough everywhere - OK, they now have clear bags, but again I'm sure everyone can think of a very easy way that could be circumvented.

 

[route:oxford]

They tend in my observation to be in relatively obscure places.

I find the ones locally really quite convenient.

Nearby I have one in:-

A local Barclays Branch.
A suburban shopping centre
Brookes University (access available to all).
And staff at the British Gas Offices nearby have their own exclusive staff Amazon Lockers.

You can't really compare Amazon Lockers with left luggage lockers though.

Amazon lockers are there to cut the cost of delivering parcels to urban areas - dropping off 20 parcels in one place is a considerable time saver by comparison to having Amazon Logistics making multiple attempts to deliver to 20 different addresses.

Left Luggage facilities have to "wash their face" financially, between rent (or opportunity cost of rent), rates and the cost of staffing a "proper" left luggage facility for 18 hours a day - you'd have to take around £400 a day just to break even.

Then just watch someone who'll sling a concierge a £5 tip for storing their luggage protest at paying £5 per 3 hours storage at a station.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I find the ones locally really quite convenient.

As do I, I find the one near me at the back of a petrol station very convenient and use it often. What I meant more was that they don't tend to be in places that would be high profile targets for anyone using them to do something nefarious.

Amazon lockers are there to cut the cost of delivering parcels to urban areas - dropping off 20 parcels in one place is a considerable time saver by comparison to having Amazon Logistics making multiple attempts to deliver to 20 different addresses.

Indeed, they are an unusual genuine business "win-win" as people don't like having parcels delivered to their house either as they have to wait in for them. Amazon save money, the recipient saves time.

Then just watch someone who'll sling a concierge a £5 tip for storing their luggage protest at paying £5 per 3 hours storage at a station.

I'd use station ones more if the opening hours were longer. A case when I really *would* use one is things like a work evening out - I'd go and drop my laptop at Euston and go out without having to worry about it, then go back for it before boarding the 0134 back - thing is, it isn't open then.

 

[221129]

Amazon lockers are an interesting one. You can't, of course, order a bomb online for next day delivery to the target of your choice, free with your Prime subscription. But there *is* a vulnerability which I won't post here so as not to give anyone ideas, I'm sure everyone can think of it.

Are there any stations with Amazon lockers? They tend in my observation to be in relatively obscure places.

TBH, I think that "modus operandi" of terrorism is gone - these days it's about doing things in person as the terrorists no longer fear dying themselves. That might well be why bins have made a reappearance near enough everywhere - OK, they now have clear bags, but again I'm sure everyone can think of a very easy way that could be circumvented.

Exeter St Davids has some Amazon lockers out the front. Just past the bus stops.

 

[snail]

The US Embassy in London doesn't allow any electronic devices inside, with no exceptions and no storage facilities. If they find anything in the security scan - last time I went in I forgot I had a USB stick in my bag - they suggest a newsagents down the road that seemed to be doing a roaring trade at £5 a go.

 

[W-on-Sea]

Exeter St Davids has some Amazon lockers out the front. Just past the bus stops.

Also Didcot Parkway

 

[edwin_m]

I wonder if Amazon or one of the other providers of lockers for collection of deliveries might start a sideline in renting them out for left luggage? If you paid online it could probably be done by software upgrade without needing to change the hardware of the lockers.

Even easier, Doddle might consider it as a sideline.

 

[miami]

Amazon says "1-16 of 4,806 results for "Pipe bomb"

Just saying....


(As for the old left luggage in a locker, it's far more sensible to drop your nefarious package off at the end of a train and depart before it's intended destination)

 

[Bletchleyite]

You're definitely on Theresa May's Internet watch list now with that post, even if you weren't before!

(I wonder if the secret service are thoroughly bored of reading threads like this containing trigger words but with no actual interesting content? )

 

[Bletchleyite]

More seriously regarding lockers, though, I think there's ways they could be provided minimising risk - design them to be blastproof as far as feasible, but also site them outside the station in a location where there aren't many things to be damaged if someone *did* blow a door off.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Even easier, Doddle might consider it as a sideline.

As Doddle do have the X-ray facility, I'm genuinely surprised they aren't offering that as a service, it'd make a bit more money. Unless they contractually can't as Excess Baggage Company may have an exclusive contract - but there are many stations with a Doddle that don't have EBC present.

 

[jfisher21]

there are good lockers at the entrance to the birmingham bull ring - way cheaper than the storage at New Street station. £1 per hour for small locker £2 for bigger ones

 

[DEE-DE]

I would probably use something like that. I've used nearby places before but only when there wasn't a left luggage facility at the station. In Cambridge there used to be a bike shop just outside which was something like 3-4 pounds depending on item size. And in Penzance I've used an inn just around the corner from the station entrance which charged me something similar.
These are one-off visits though. But I've had to use the left luggage at St Pancras several times now. Last time I used it, it was fortunately still £10 and not the 12 something it is now. Also, compared to other countries, this is per item so I always have to make sure that my small rucksack still fits into the big one. Also, if it was cheaper, I might consider leaving my laptop there as well.
I think Aberdeen was quite cheap but that wasn't operated by the Excess Baggage Company. It was just a room with lockers where some guy checked your items, put them into a locker, put your cash into the locker and gave you the key.

 

[urbophile]

It seems to be hit and miss which stations (even major ones in large cities) offer left luggage facilities. I was both astonished and disgusted to discover that there wasn't one at Bristol Temple Meads some years ago (there may well be now): I had a few hours spare when I wanted to tour the city but wasn't willing (or really, able, having a bad back at the time) to cart a heavy suitcase around with me. The obvious solution would seem to be some sort of joint arrangement with the tourist information office: how can they encourage people to visit the city and at the same time make it difficult or impossible to do so?

 

[All Line Rover]

Amazon lockers are an interesting one. You can't, of course, order a bomb online for next day delivery to the target of your choice, free with your Prime subscription. But there *is* a vulnerability which I won't post here so as not to give anyone ideas, I'm sure everyone can think of it.

Collect cheap but bulky item, purchased using a gift card that was bought with cash. Put bomb inside locker on a timer. Close locker.

Anyone with a nefarious purpose in mind has probably worked that out already.

There are many Amazon lockers inside shopping centres and at supermarket entrances (Morrisons). They do, however, tend to be covered by extensive CCTV.

 

[ejstubbs]

More seriously regarding lockers, though, I think there's ways they could be provided minimising risk - design them to be blastproof as far as feasible, but also site them outside the station...

I suspect that making individual lockers blastproof would increase costs significantly, and reduce the number of lockers that could be provided in a given space. A better approach might be to enclose the bank of lockers within a sufficiently blastproof perimeter of some kind (which doesn't have to have a physical door - it could be a simple labyrinth system like the offset blast walls that used to be used to protect the entrances to civilian air raid shelters), and locate it away from primary traffic routes. You might lose the odd unlucky customer (perhaps have a turnstile system to limit the number of people inside at any one time?) and everyone else's bags would be toast, but at least you would cut the risk of mass deaths/injuries.

...in a location where there aren't many things to be damaged if someone *did* blow a door off.

I wouldn't worry too much about 'things' being damaged, so long as they aren't critical to provision of services (including emergency services). It's people that you need to try to protect IMO.